[Reduction of induced corneal astigmatism after IOL implantation by small incision technique].
PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of incision length on corneal astigmatism after intraocular lens implantation. METHODS: The change of induced corneal astigmatism was observed in 36 patients underwent phacoemusification cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation through a 6.5 mm limbal incision comparing with that in extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation through a 11 mm limbal incision. RESULTS: The surgically induced astigmatism in 1 week, 1.3 and 6 months after the operation was 2.13 +/- 1.41, 1.58 +/- 1.07, 0.92 +/- 0.75 and 0.77 +/- 0.55D in 6.5 mm limbal incision group while that was 4.63 +/- 1.39, 3.08 +/- 1.11, 2.52 +/- 0.89 and 2.04 +/- 0.87 in 11 mm incision group, the difference in the same postoperative period was significant (P < 0.05). At 1 week and 1 month postoperatively, 52.8% and 61.41% of 6.5 mm limbal incision cases had uncorrected visual acuity of 0.5 or better compared with 28.6% and 37.1% of 11 mm incision cases (P < 0.05). There was no difference of the uncorrected visual acuity 6 months after the surgery between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Reducing incision can minimize surgically induced astigmatism and promote early postoperative visual rehabilitation.